Tech's Hinton Is Arrested, Cut

A backup defensive back, he is charged with assaultand battery after a restaurant incident.

Michael Hinton, a backup defensive back at Virginia Tech, was dismissed from the team Tuesday after being arrested and charged with assault and battery and malicious wounding.

Hinton, a redshirt freshman from Burlington, N.C., was allegedly involved in an incident at about 2 a.m. Sunday at a McDonald's restaurant in Blacksburg, police said.

Police Lt. B.E. Bradbery gave the following account: Hinton was charged with assault after punching a restaurant patron in the face after the patron tried to cut in line in front of him. Hinton, 20, then ran and was followed on campus by a friend of the patron. When the friend caught up to Hinton, a fight ensued.

Hinton was arrested at his dormitory. He is being held in Montgomery County jail without bond, according to Capt. Robbie Hall.

Malicious wounding is a felony that carries a penalty of up to 5-to-20 years in jail. Assault and battery is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of up to 12 months in jail or a $2,500 fine.

The university's Comprehensive Action Plan dictates that players charged with a felony must be suspended from practice and competition.

Hinton is the most recent Tech football player to have legal trouble. Marcus Vick, Brenden Hill and Mike Imoh -- all football players -- were charged in February with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and will stand trial May 14.

Tech announced Tuesday that Hinton was released from the team. Phone calls to Jim Weaver, Tech's athletic director, and Frank Beamer, the football coach, were not returned.

Hinton played his senior season of high school at Hargrave Military Academy and was ranked the 14th-best player in Virginia in 2003.

He was suspended from Virginia Tech's football team in December for a violation of team rules, but he was reinstated to participate in spring practice.